CA2435366C - Device and method for disassembling a pile of flat objects - Google Patents
Device and method for disassembling a pile of flat objects Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2435366C CA2435366C CA002435366A CA2435366A CA2435366C CA 2435366 C CA2435366 C CA 2435366C CA 002435366 A CA002435366 A CA 002435366A CA 2435366 A CA2435366 A CA 2435366A CA 2435366 C CA2435366 C CA 2435366C
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- stack
- arrangement
- separating
- height
- destacking
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H3/00—Separating articles from piles
- B65H3/02—Separating articles from piles using friction forces between articles and separator
- B65H3/06—Rollers or like rotary separators
- B65H3/0684—Rollers or like rotary separators on moving support, e.g. pivoting, for bringing the roller or like rotary separator into contact with the pile
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H5/00—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines
- B65H5/08—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines by grippers, e.g. suction grippers
- B65H5/085—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines by grippers, e.g. suction grippers by combinations of endless conveyors and grippers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
- B65H2301/40—Type of handling process
- B65H2301/42—Piling, depiling, handling piles
- B65H2301/423—Depiling; Separating articles from a pile
- B65H2301/4232—Depiling; Separating articles from a pile of horizontal or inclined articles, i.e. wherein articles support fully or in part the mass of other articles in the piles
- B65H2301/42324—Depiling; Separating articles from a pile of horizontal or inclined articles, i.e. wherein articles support fully or in part the mass of other articles in the piles from top of the pile
- B65H2301/423245—Depiling; Separating articles from a pile of horizontal or inclined articles, i.e. wherein articles support fully or in part the mass of other articles in the piles from top of the pile the pile lying on a stationary support, i.e. the separator moving according to the decreasing height of the pile
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2404/00—Parts for transporting or guiding the handled material
- B65H2404/10—Rollers
- B65H2404/15—Roller assembly, particular roller arrangement
- B65H2404/152—Arrangement of roller on a movable frame
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2405/00—Parts for holding the handled material
- B65H2405/50—Gripping means
- B65H2405/55—Rail guided gripping means running in closed loop, e.g. without permanent interconnecting means
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Sheets, Magazines, And Separation Thereof (AREA)
- De-Stacking Of Articles (AREA)
- Pile Receivers (AREA)
Abstract
The invention relates to a device (1) for disassembling a pile (2, 2', 2'') of flat objects (16). Said device comprises a supporting surface (4) for the pi le (2, 2', 2'') and a separating device (11), the height of which can be adjust ed in such a way that its vertical distance from the uppermost object of the pi le (2, 2', 2'') remains essentially constant while the pile is being disassembled. Said separating device removes at least the uppermost object from the pile (2, 2', 2'') and transfers it to a transporting device (6). According to the invention, the supporting surface (4) is situated in a conveying plane (E) in which a pile (2, 2', 2'') to be disassembled is carri ed to the device (1) by a conveying device (5). A lifting device (3) is also provided and is used to raise the separating device (11) to a particular height after the successful disassembly of a pile, in order to receive anoth er pile (2, 2', 2'') on the supporting surface (4). The invention also relates to a method for disassembling a pile (2, 2', 2'') of flat objects (16).
Description
DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DISASSEMBLING
A PILE OF FLAT OBJECTS
The invention relates to an apparatus for, ar,d a method O.L. destac},_ng a stack of flat articles.
In the apparatus of WO 00/46135, a stack of flat articles, in particular printed products, rests on a bearing surface and is destacked from above by a separating arrangement. The separating arrangement is supported on the stack from above by means of a load-bearing, structure, with the result that its vertical distance from the stack is always. constant during destacking. The 'separating arrangement is used to separate out indi vi dual 'article.s from the stack and to transfer them to a removal arrangement in the form of a belt conveyor. The separating arrangement comprises -a sucker by means of which the arti-cle which is located at the top of the stack in each case is attached by suction.at one end. A pusher then grips beneath the article and pushes it out of the stack in the direction of the removal arrangement. By virtue of articles being periodically separated out, an imbricated stream- of partially overlapping articles is produced on the belt conveyor. The removal arrangement can be pivoted in the manner of a rocker, with the result -that it is possible lor the height of the region in which articles can be received to be adapted to the curreht stack hei-ght and for the articles to be pushed onto the belt conveyor essentially 'in their own plane. The removal arrangement is connected to the separatirig arrangement via the lo.ad-bearing structure, with the result that theheight ad?ptation 1i}:ewise takes place passivzly by sensing of the current stac}: hei ght. WO O~J/46135 . proposes - that, during destack_ing or once destac?_ing.has taken place, a f L, ther stack of _lat arti c? =s i s fed _o the reg i on _ of ~ -the bearing means from beneath, i.e. in the normal direction to the bearing surface. The further stack here is located on a further bearing means, which is oriented parallel to the first-mentioned bearing means and is moved in the normal direction thereto. In order to ensure a continuous changeover from one stack to the next and thus a gap-free imbricated stream, it is necessary for the bearing means located between the two stacks to be removed in a suitable manner. As an alternative, WO 00/46135 proposes using individual products in an imbricated stream in a plane which runs parallel to the bearing surface of the stack, but i.s located therebeneath. It is also the case with this variant that the bearing surface between the two sub-stacks has to be removed at a given time. This can only be realized with high design-related outlay.
DE .1947095 B2 discloses an apparatus which is intended for discharging flat articles and in the case of which individual stacks are supplied on a conveying belt and removed from beneath. For this purpose, the stack, in the destacking position, is tilted by a barrier which is inclined in the vertical, and the respectively lowermost article of the stack is drawn out of the stack by a belt conveyor, while the articles located thereabove are retained by the barrier. The problem here is that the weight of the entire stack always bears on the article which is to be removed, the latter thus being subjected to mechanical stressing during removal.
The object of the invention is thus to specify an apparatus for, and a method of, destacking a stack of flat -articles in the case of which the destacking follows from above in a manner which does not adversely affect the articles, and the operation of feeding the stack is simplified in relation to the known apparatuses.
A PILE OF FLAT OBJECTS
The invention relates to an apparatus for, ar,d a method O.L. destac},_ng a stack of flat articles.
In the apparatus of WO 00/46135, a stack of flat articles, in particular printed products, rests on a bearing surface and is destacked from above by a separating arrangement. The separating arrangement is supported on the stack from above by means of a load-bearing, structure, with the result that its vertical distance from the stack is always. constant during destacking. The 'separating arrangement is used to separate out indi vi dual 'article.s from the stack and to transfer them to a removal arrangement in the form of a belt conveyor. The separating arrangement comprises -a sucker by means of which the arti-cle which is located at the top of the stack in each case is attached by suction.at one end. A pusher then grips beneath the article and pushes it out of the stack in the direction of the removal arrangement. By virtue of articles being periodically separated out, an imbricated stream- of partially overlapping articles is produced on the belt conveyor. The removal arrangement can be pivoted in the manner of a rocker, with the result -that it is possible lor the height of the region in which articles can be received to be adapted to the curreht stack hei-ght and for the articles to be pushed onto the belt conveyor essentially 'in their own plane. The removal arrangement is connected to the separatirig arrangement via the lo.ad-bearing structure, with the result that theheight ad?ptation 1i}:ewise takes place passivzly by sensing of the current stac}: hei ght. WO O~J/46135 . proposes - that, during destack_ing or once destac?_ing.has taken place, a f L, ther stack of _lat arti c? =s i s fed _o the reg i on _ of ~ -the bearing means from beneath, i.e. in the normal direction to the bearing surface. The further stack here is located on a further bearing means, which is oriented parallel to the first-mentioned bearing means and is moved in the normal direction thereto. In order to ensure a continuous changeover from one stack to the next and thus a gap-free imbricated stream, it is necessary for the bearing means located between the two stacks to be removed in a suitable manner. As an alternative, WO 00/46135 proposes using individual products in an imbricated stream in a plane which runs parallel to the bearing surface of the stack, but i.s located therebeneath. It is also the case with this variant that the bearing surface between the two sub-stacks has to be removed at a given time. This can only be realized with high design-related outlay.
DE .1947095 B2 discloses an apparatus which is intended for discharging flat articles and in the case of which individual stacks are supplied on a conveying belt and removed from beneath. For this purpose, the stack, in the destacking position, is tilted by a barrier which is inclined in the vertical, and the respectively lowermost article of the stack is drawn out of the stack by a belt conveyor, while the articles located thereabove are retained by the barrier. The problem here is that the weight of the entire stack always bears on the article which is to be removed, the latter thus being subjected to mechanical stressing during removal.
The object of the invention is thus to specify an apparatus for, and a method of, destacking a stack of flat -articles in the case of which the destacking follows from above in a manner which does not adversely affect the articles, and the operation of feeding the stack is simplified in relation to the known apparatuses.
According to the invention, an apparatus of the generic type for destacking a stack of flat articles, having a bearing surface for the stack and a separating arrangement, comprises a lifting mechanism which is capable of raising the separating arrangement to a predetermined height, once destacking has taken place.
A further stack which is to be destacked can be introduced into the resulting gap between the receiving surface and separating arrangement by being fed, according to the invention, in the feed plane defined by the bearing means. There is thus no need for any complicating lifting mechanism for the stack itself.
The operation of feeding a new stack can be realized by straightforward means, for example a belt conveyor. In the case of the invention, the changeover from one stack to the next is possible in an extremely straightforward manner.
The invention dispenses with the gap-free discharge of articles to a removal arrangement during the changeover between two stacks, with the result that it is possible for gaps to be produced in the product stream which is to be removed. The invention is thus used particularly advantageously in conjunction with a removal arrangement in the case of which the articles are moved by individually moveable conveying means, with the result that it is possible to change the distances between two articles during removal and to compensate again for gaps in the product stream, if required.
The apparatus preferably comprises, a removal arrangement which is coupled mechanically to the separating arrangement and can be height-adjusted together with the latter.
Various possibilities are known for the purpose of separating out the uppermost article from the stack. The separating arrangement can attach the uppermost article by suction, using negative pressure, and, finally, separate it out using a pusher, as described, for example, in 5. Furthermore, it is possible to use, for example, a suitably configured separating element to rotate the uppermost article out of the stack, in its own plane, with a force or friction fit, as described, for example, in CH 436349. In a further development of the principle known from CH 436349, the separating element can be used to push a corner of the uppermost article against a stop, the uppermost article sliding laterally past the latter as a result of bending, while articles located beneath it are stopped. A corresponding separating mechanism is described by the same applicant's European patent application `Method of, and apparatus for, destacking a stack of flat articles one by one' filed on the same day and having the publication number EP 1 232 977.
As removal arrangement, it is possible to use a belt conveyor in the case of which the height at which it is capable of receiving articles is variable. For example, use is made of the design described in WO 00/46135. In this case, the separating arrangement is coupled mechanically to the belt conveyor, which is designed as a rocker, by means of a load-bearing structure, with the result that the height of the separating arrangement and of the removal conveyor is adapted passively to the height of the stack which is to be restacked. A further possible removal arrangement is a gripper conveyor as described, for example, in WO 99/33731 or WO 99/33734. The removal arrangement preferably has a plurality of grippers which can be moved individually along a rail by conveying means. The position in which the grippers close is preferably adapted to the current height of the stack which is to be destacked.
In one broad aspect, there is provided apparatus for destacking a stack of flat articles having a bearing surface for the stack, a removal arrangement and a separating arrangement which can be height-adjusted such that its vertical distance from the uppermost article of the stack is substantially constant during destacking, which is capable of separating out at least the uppermost article from the stack and transferring it to a removal arrangement and has a lifting mechanism which is capable of raising the separating arrangement to a predetermined height, once destacking has taken place, in order to receive a further stack on the bearing surface, wherein the bearing surface is located in a feed plane in which a stack which is to be destacked is fed to the apparatus by a feed arrangement, wherein the removal arrangement has a transfer region in which articles are transferred to the removal arrangement and are received by the latter in order to be transported further, it being possible for the height of the transfer region to be adapted to the current stack height, wherein the removal arrangement comprises a plurality of grippers which are capable of receiving individual articles, and wherein a closing guide for the grippers is operatively connected to the separating arrangement, with the result that the height at which the grippers are closed is adapted to the current stack height.
In another broad aspect there is provided method of destacking a stack of flat articles which rest on a bearing surface, in the case of which a separating - 5a -arrangement is used to separate out in each case the uppermost article from the stack and to transfer it to a removal arrangement, the vertical distance of the separating arrangement from the uppermost article of the stack is substantially constant during destacking and the separating arrangement is raised to a predetermined height following destacking of the stack, wherein a further stack is brought onto the bearing surface by movement in the plane of the bearing surface and in that the removal arrangement comprises a plurality of grippers, in each case one gripper receiving the uppermost article which has been separated out from the stack by the separating arrangement and then being closed by means of a closing guide, which is operatively connected to the separating arrangement, with the result that the height at which the gripper is closed is adapted to the current stack height.
- C};-Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described hereinbelow and illustrated in the drawing, in which, purely schematically:
Figures 1A-D show a s-ide view of an apparatus according to the invention at a number of different points in time as the method according to the invention is implemented;, Figure 2 shows a side view of an apparatus according . to the invention with a pivotably mounted removal conveyor designed as a belt conveyor; and Figures 3A, B s':.~w a s,_ue view of an apparatus according i-o the invention with the removal conveyor designed as a gripper conveyor.
Figures 1A-D show a destacking apparatus 1 in a number of stages as the destacking mfethod is implemented. A
first stack 2 is located in the destacking position on a bearing surface 4. The individual sheet-like articles 16 here are oriented with their surface parallel to the bearing surface 4. The bearing surface 4 is formed by the conveying belt of a belt conveyor 10. Further stacks 2', 2'' are located on a further belt conveyor 9, which is located in a common plane, the feed plane E, with the first-mentioned belt conveyor 10. The two belt conveyors 9, 10 convey in the same direction and form a feed arrangement 5, by means of which stacks 2, 2 ', 2" which are to be destacked are fed to the ' " - 6 -destacking apparatus 1. Prior to destacking, the stacks 2, 2', 2" have a maximum height H. It is also possible for the heights of the individual stacks 2, 2', 2" to be different.
The stack 2 located on the bearing surface 4 is destacked by means of a separating arrangement 11, a separating element 12 pushing the respectively uppermost article beyond the outline of the stack and thus transferring it to a removal arrangement 6. The separating element 12 is, for example, a roller with a surface which has a good grip. This rests on the stack 2 and thus removes the uppermost article in each case from the stack 2. The separating element 12 is connected rigidly, at least in the vertical direction, to the removal arrangement 6 via a load-bearing structure 13. The removal arrangement 6 is thus also always retained at a height which is adapted to the current stack height. The removal arrangement 6 comprises a belt conveyor 7 which can be pivoted in the manner of a rocker about an axis 8 running transversely to the removal direction. The belt conveyor 7 is always moved, via the load-bearing structure 13 and the separating element 12, also serving for hei.ght-sensing.
purposes, such that its edge 7a, which is directed toward the stack 2 which is to be destacked, is located approximately at the height of the uppermost article.
The separating mechanism 11 further comprises a transporting roller 14, which is likewise arranged on the load-bearing structure 13 and conveys the articles further on the removal conveyor with a force or friction fit or by gripping behind the trailing edges thereof.
According to the invention, the destacking apparatus 1 comprises a lifting arrangement 3, by means of which the height of the separating arrangement 11 above the bearing surface 4 can be changed actively, i.e.
irrespective of the stack which is to be destacked.
= - 7 -The situation at the beginning of the operation of destacking a stack 2 is illustrated in figure 1A. The end 7a of the removal arrangement 6, said end being directed toward the stack 2, is located at the height H
of the stack 2 which is to be destacked. Dashed lines illustrate the position of the removal conveyor 6 when the stack has been fully destacked. Figure 1B shows the situation with the stack fully destacked and the bearing surface 4 empty. The separating element 12, which also serves for height-monitoring purposes, in this case rests on the bearing surface 4. Via the load-bearing structure 13, the removal arrangement 6 is also positioned such that its front end 7a is located approximately at the height of the bearing surface 4.
Once destacking has taken place, the separating arrangement 11 and removal arrangement 6 is displaced upward by means of the lifting arrangement 3, with the result that a gap equal to the height H for receiving a further stack 2' is produced between the separating element 12 and the bearing surface 4. The feed arrangement 5 is moved in order to displace a further stack 2' into the destacking position on the bearing surface 4. The separating arrangement 11 can then be lowered again onto the stack. A new destacking cycle can begin. The lifting arrangement 3 is deactivated, with the result that the position of the separating arrangement 11 and of the removal arrangement 6 is adapted automatically to the height of the stack 2' which is now to be destacked.
The operations of feeding stack 2, 2', 2" and removing individual articles 16 in the form of an imbricated stream 15 take place here essentially in the same direction in the drawing plane. It is also possible, however, for the feed and removal operation to take place in different directions. It is also possible for pushing means to push the stacks 2, 2', 2" into the s - - 8 -destacking position.
Figure 2 shows a further view of an apparatus according to the invention for destacking stacks 2, 2' . As has already been described, stacks 2, 2' are brought into the destacking position on the bearing surface 4 by a feed arrangement 5, comprising two belt conveyors 9, 10 arranged one behind the other. The separating mechanism 11 is connected rigidly to the front end 7a of the removal arrangement 6 via a load-bearing structure 13, comprising individual structural elements 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d. All the elements of the load-bearing structure 13 are arranged to the sides of, or above, the feed arrangement 5, with the result that they do not obstruct the stacks fed. The separating arrangement 11 and the removal arrangement 6 are described in specific terms in WO 00/46135. To supplement this, the apparatus according to figure 2 has a lifting arrangement 3, by means of which the separating element 12 can be displaced to a predetermined height H
irrespective of the height of the stack 2 which is to be destacked.
Figures 3A and 3B show a further apparatus according to the invention, this time with a gripper conveyor as removal arrangement 6. A feed arrangement 5 brings a stack 2 into the destacking position on a bearing surface 4, which in this case is formed by an end region of the belt conveyor. By means of a separating arrangement 11, the uppermost articles 16 in each case are pushed laterally out of the stack 2. They are gripped by grippers 17 at their ends 16a projecting out of the stack. The grippers are fastened on conveying means 18 which are moved along a rail 19. The conveying means 18 can be moved individually. In the present case, in each case a certain number of conveying means 18 is guided past the stack 2 which is to be destacked.
These each receive an article until the stack 2 has been destacked. In the situation according to figure 3B, in which there are still three articles present in the stack 2, a further three empty grippers 17 approach the transfer region, while further grippers 17' are stopped by means of a blocking element 22.
These further grippers 17' are only released when the further stack 2' has advanced into the destacking position and destacking of articles is continued. Since the conveying means 18 can be moved individually along the rails 19, it is possible to compensate again for the resulting gap into the product stream. There is no need, however, for stacks to be destacked without interruption.
The separating arrangement 11 is connected to a closing guide 20 via a load-bearing structure 13. The closing guide 20 serves for closing the grippers 17. It is arranged such that closure takes place a little way above the plane defined by the uppermost article in the stack. The height conditions described are realized by the separating element 12 or a pressure-exerting element 23, which serves for sensing the height of the stack 2. A lifting mechanism 3 can be used to bring the separating arrangement 11 and the closing guide 20 to a predetermined height again once destacking has taken place.
The grippers 17, 17' are transported in a closed state and are only opened in the vicinity of the transfer region, by means of an opening guide 21. The conveying means 18 are moved along the rail 19 by means of a drive 24.
A further stack which is to be destacked can be introduced into the resulting gap between the receiving surface and separating arrangement by being fed, according to the invention, in the feed plane defined by the bearing means. There is thus no need for any complicating lifting mechanism for the stack itself.
The operation of feeding a new stack can be realized by straightforward means, for example a belt conveyor. In the case of the invention, the changeover from one stack to the next is possible in an extremely straightforward manner.
The invention dispenses with the gap-free discharge of articles to a removal arrangement during the changeover between two stacks, with the result that it is possible for gaps to be produced in the product stream which is to be removed. The invention is thus used particularly advantageously in conjunction with a removal arrangement in the case of which the articles are moved by individually moveable conveying means, with the result that it is possible to change the distances between two articles during removal and to compensate again for gaps in the product stream, if required.
The apparatus preferably comprises, a removal arrangement which is coupled mechanically to the separating arrangement and can be height-adjusted together with the latter.
Various possibilities are known for the purpose of separating out the uppermost article from the stack. The separating arrangement can attach the uppermost article by suction, using negative pressure, and, finally, separate it out using a pusher, as described, for example, in 5. Furthermore, it is possible to use, for example, a suitably configured separating element to rotate the uppermost article out of the stack, in its own plane, with a force or friction fit, as described, for example, in CH 436349. In a further development of the principle known from CH 436349, the separating element can be used to push a corner of the uppermost article against a stop, the uppermost article sliding laterally past the latter as a result of bending, while articles located beneath it are stopped. A corresponding separating mechanism is described by the same applicant's European patent application `Method of, and apparatus for, destacking a stack of flat articles one by one' filed on the same day and having the publication number EP 1 232 977.
As removal arrangement, it is possible to use a belt conveyor in the case of which the height at which it is capable of receiving articles is variable. For example, use is made of the design described in WO 00/46135. In this case, the separating arrangement is coupled mechanically to the belt conveyor, which is designed as a rocker, by means of a load-bearing structure, with the result that the height of the separating arrangement and of the removal conveyor is adapted passively to the height of the stack which is to be restacked. A further possible removal arrangement is a gripper conveyor as described, for example, in WO 99/33731 or WO 99/33734. The removal arrangement preferably has a plurality of grippers which can be moved individually along a rail by conveying means. The position in which the grippers close is preferably adapted to the current height of the stack which is to be destacked.
In one broad aspect, there is provided apparatus for destacking a stack of flat articles having a bearing surface for the stack, a removal arrangement and a separating arrangement which can be height-adjusted such that its vertical distance from the uppermost article of the stack is substantially constant during destacking, which is capable of separating out at least the uppermost article from the stack and transferring it to a removal arrangement and has a lifting mechanism which is capable of raising the separating arrangement to a predetermined height, once destacking has taken place, in order to receive a further stack on the bearing surface, wherein the bearing surface is located in a feed plane in which a stack which is to be destacked is fed to the apparatus by a feed arrangement, wherein the removal arrangement has a transfer region in which articles are transferred to the removal arrangement and are received by the latter in order to be transported further, it being possible for the height of the transfer region to be adapted to the current stack height, wherein the removal arrangement comprises a plurality of grippers which are capable of receiving individual articles, and wherein a closing guide for the grippers is operatively connected to the separating arrangement, with the result that the height at which the grippers are closed is adapted to the current stack height.
In another broad aspect there is provided method of destacking a stack of flat articles which rest on a bearing surface, in the case of which a separating - 5a -arrangement is used to separate out in each case the uppermost article from the stack and to transfer it to a removal arrangement, the vertical distance of the separating arrangement from the uppermost article of the stack is substantially constant during destacking and the separating arrangement is raised to a predetermined height following destacking of the stack, wherein a further stack is brought onto the bearing surface by movement in the plane of the bearing surface and in that the removal arrangement comprises a plurality of grippers, in each case one gripper receiving the uppermost article which has been separated out from the stack by the separating arrangement and then being closed by means of a closing guide, which is operatively connected to the separating arrangement, with the result that the height at which the gripper is closed is adapted to the current stack height.
- C};-Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described hereinbelow and illustrated in the drawing, in which, purely schematically:
Figures 1A-D show a s-ide view of an apparatus according to the invention at a number of different points in time as the method according to the invention is implemented;, Figure 2 shows a side view of an apparatus according . to the invention with a pivotably mounted removal conveyor designed as a belt conveyor; and Figures 3A, B s':.~w a s,_ue view of an apparatus according i-o the invention with the removal conveyor designed as a gripper conveyor.
Figures 1A-D show a destacking apparatus 1 in a number of stages as the destacking mfethod is implemented. A
first stack 2 is located in the destacking position on a bearing surface 4. The individual sheet-like articles 16 here are oriented with their surface parallel to the bearing surface 4. The bearing surface 4 is formed by the conveying belt of a belt conveyor 10. Further stacks 2', 2'' are located on a further belt conveyor 9, which is located in a common plane, the feed plane E, with the first-mentioned belt conveyor 10. The two belt conveyors 9, 10 convey in the same direction and form a feed arrangement 5, by means of which stacks 2, 2 ', 2" which are to be destacked are fed to the ' " - 6 -destacking apparatus 1. Prior to destacking, the stacks 2, 2', 2" have a maximum height H. It is also possible for the heights of the individual stacks 2, 2', 2" to be different.
The stack 2 located on the bearing surface 4 is destacked by means of a separating arrangement 11, a separating element 12 pushing the respectively uppermost article beyond the outline of the stack and thus transferring it to a removal arrangement 6. The separating element 12 is, for example, a roller with a surface which has a good grip. This rests on the stack 2 and thus removes the uppermost article in each case from the stack 2. The separating element 12 is connected rigidly, at least in the vertical direction, to the removal arrangement 6 via a load-bearing structure 13. The removal arrangement 6 is thus also always retained at a height which is adapted to the current stack height. The removal arrangement 6 comprises a belt conveyor 7 which can be pivoted in the manner of a rocker about an axis 8 running transversely to the removal direction. The belt conveyor 7 is always moved, via the load-bearing structure 13 and the separating element 12, also serving for hei.ght-sensing.
purposes, such that its edge 7a, which is directed toward the stack 2 which is to be destacked, is located approximately at the height of the uppermost article.
The separating mechanism 11 further comprises a transporting roller 14, which is likewise arranged on the load-bearing structure 13 and conveys the articles further on the removal conveyor with a force or friction fit or by gripping behind the trailing edges thereof.
According to the invention, the destacking apparatus 1 comprises a lifting arrangement 3, by means of which the height of the separating arrangement 11 above the bearing surface 4 can be changed actively, i.e.
irrespective of the stack which is to be destacked.
= - 7 -The situation at the beginning of the operation of destacking a stack 2 is illustrated in figure 1A. The end 7a of the removal arrangement 6, said end being directed toward the stack 2, is located at the height H
of the stack 2 which is to be destacked. Dashed lines illustrate the position of the removal conveyor 6 when the stack has been fully destacked. Figure 1B shows the situation with the stack fully destacked and the bearing surface 4 empty. The separating element 12, which also serves for height-monitoring purposes, in this case rests on the bearing surface 4. Via the load-bearing structure 13, the removal arrangement 6 is also positioned such that its front end 7a is located approximately at the height of the bearing surface 4.
Once destacking has taken place, the separating arrangement 11 and removal arrangement 6 is displaced upward by means of the lifting arrangement 3, with the result that a gap equal to the height H for receiving a further stack 2' is produced between the separating element 12 and the bearing surface 4. The feed arrangement 5 is moved in order to displace a further stack 2' into the destacking position on the bearing surface 4. The separating arrangement 11 can then be lowered again onto the stack. A new destacking cycle can begin. The lifting arrangement 3 is deactivated, with the result that the position of the separating arrangement 11 and of the removal arrangement 6 is adapted automatically to the height of the stack 2' which is now to be destacked.
The operations of feeding stack 2, 2', 2" and removing individual articles 16 in the form of an imbricated stream 15 take place here essentially in the same direction in the drawing plane. It is also possible, however, for the feed and removal operation to take place in different directions. It is also possible for pushing means to push the stacks 2, 2', 2" into the s - - 8 -destacking position.
Figure 2 shows a further view of an apparatus according to the invention for destacking stacks 2, 2' . As has already been described, stacks 2, 2' are brought into the destacking position on the bearing surface 4 by a feed arrangement 5, comprising two belt conveyors 9, 10 arranged one behind the other. The separating mechanism 11 is connected rigidly to the front end 7a of the removal arrangement 6 via a load-bearing structure 13, comprising individual structural elements 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d. All the elements of the load-bearing structure 13 are arranged to the sides of, or above, the feed arrangement 5, with the result that they do not obstruct the stacks fed. The separating arrangement 11 and the removal arrangement 6 are described in specific terms in WO 00/46135. To supplement this, the apparatus according to figure 2 has a lifting arrangement 3, by means of which the separating element 12 can be displaced to a predetermined height H
irrespective of the height of the stack 2 which is to be destacked.
Figures 3A and 3B show a further apparatus according to the invention, this time with a gripper conveyor as removal arrangement 6. A feed arrangement 5 brings a stack 2 into the destacking position on a bearing surface 4, which in this case is formed by an end region of the belt conveyor. By means of a separating arrangement 11, the uppermost articles 16 in each case are pushed laterally out of the stack 2. They are gripped by grippers 17 at their ends 16a projecting out of the stack. The grippers are fastened on conveying means 18 which are moved along a rail 19. The conveying means 18 can be moved individually. In the present case, in each case a certain number of conveying means 18 is guided past the stack 2 which is to be destacked.
These each receive an article until the stack 2 has been destacked. In the situation according to figure 3B, in which there are still three articles present in the stack 2, a further three empty grippers 17 approach the transfer region, while further grippers 17' are stopped by means of a blocking element 22.
These further grippers 17' are only released when the further stack 2' has advanced into the destacking position and destacking of articles is continued. Since the conveying means 18 can be moved individually along the rails 19, it is possible to compensate again for the resulting gap into the product stream. There is no need, however, for stacks to be destacked without interruption.
The separating arrangement 11 is connected to a closing guide 20 via a load-bearing structure 13. The closing guide 20 serves for closing the grippers 17. It is arranged such that closure takes place a little way above the plane defined by the uppermost article in the stack. The height conditions described are realized by the separating element 12 or a pressure-exerting element 23, which serves for sensing the height of the stack 2. A lifting mechanism 3 can be used to bring the separating arrangement 11 and the closing guide 20 to a predetermined height again once destacking has taken place.
The grippers 17, 17' are transported in a closed state and are only opened in the vicinity of the transfer region, by means of an opening guide 21. The conveying means 18 are moved along the rail 19 by means of a drive 24.
Claims (10)
1. Apparatus for destacking a stack of flat articles having a bearing surface for the stack, a removal arrangement and a separating arrangement which can be height-adjusted such that its vertical distance from the uppermost article of the stack is substantially constant during destacking, which is capable of separating out at least the uppermost article from the stack and transferring it to a removal arrangement and has a lifting mechanism which is capable of raising the separating arrangement to a predetermined height, once destacking has taken place, in order to receive a further stack on the bearing surface, wherein the bearing surface is located in a feed plane in which a stack which is to be destacked is fed to the apparatus by a feed arrangement, wherein the removal arrangement has a transfer region in which articles are transferred to the removal arrangement and are received by the latter in order to be transported further, it being possible for the height of the transfer region to be adapted to the current stack height, wherein the removal arrangement comprises a plurality of grippers which are capable of receiving individual articles, and wherein a closing guide for the grippers is operatively connected to the separating arrangement, with the result that the height at which the grippers are closed is adapted to the current stack height.
2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the feed arrangement comprises a belt conveyor, of which the conveying belt is located in the feed plane.
3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the separating arrangement is mounted such that it is supported on the stack during destacking.
4. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the separating arrangement is capable of moving the uppermost article in its own plane.
5. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the separating arrangement has a pressure-exerting element, which rests on the stack, and a separating element, which is connected to the pressure-exerting element, is movable parallel to the bearing surface and is capable of moving the uppermost article for transfer to a removal arrangement.
6. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the removal arrangement is coupled mechanically to at least one of the separating arrangement and a pressure-exerting element, which rests on the stack.
7. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the grippers are movable individually along a movement path.
8. Method of destacking a stack of flat articles which rest on a bearing surface, in the case of which a separating arrangement is used to separate out in each case the uppermost article from the stack and to transfer it to a removal arrangement, the vertical distance of the separating arrangement from the uppermost article of the stack is substantially constant during destacking and the separating arrangement is raised to a predetermined height following destacking of the stack, wherein a further stack is brought onto the bearing surface by movement in the plane of the bearing surface and in that the removal arrangement comprises a plurality of grippers, in each case one gripper receiving the uppermost article which has been separated out from the stack by the separating arrangement and then being closed by means of a closing guide, which is operatively connected to the separating arrangement, with the result that the height at which the gripper is closed is adapted to the current stack height.
9. Method according to Claim 8, wherein the grippers are movable individually along a movement path.
10. The apparatus of Claim 2, wherein the conveying belt forms the bearing surface.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CH2652001 | 2001-02-15 | ||
| CH265/01 | 2001-02-15 | ||
| PCT/CH2001/000719 WO2002064467A1 (en) | 2001-02-15 | 2001-12-17 | Device and method for disassembling a pile of flat objects |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2435366A1 CA2435366A1 (en) | 2002-08-22 |
| CA2435366C true CA2435366C (en) | 2009-02-03 |
Family
ID=4475613
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002435366A Expired - Fee Related CA2435366C (en) | 2001-02-15 | 2001-12-17 | Device and method for disassembling a pile of flat objects |
Country Status (7)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US6886826B2 (en) |
| EP (1) | EP1360131B1 (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE295322T1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU2002220430B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2435366C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE50106230D1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2002064467A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATE512106T1 (en) * | 2002-03-22 | 2011-06-15 | Magnum Mfg Ltd | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR FORMING A SHALCHED SHEETS STREAM IN A SHEET FEEDING DEVICE AND FOR FEEDING THE SHADED SHEETS STREAM IN A PRINTING PRESS |
| ITBO20030077A1 (en) * | 2003-02-20 | 2004-08-21 | Gd Spa | METHOD AND UNIT FOR HANDLING AND TREATMENT |
| CN102845804A (en) | 2005-05-23 | 2013-01-02 | 卡夫食品环球品牌有限责任公司 | Taste potentiator compositions and beverages containing same |
| CN107032148A (en) * | 2016-02-04 | 2017-08-11 | 山东新北洋信息技术股份有限公司 | A kind of lift control method of laminated medium processing unit and its paper carrying table |
| US10611592B1 (en) * | 2017-05-31 | 2020-04-07 | Walco Systems | Automatic media loader for feeder |
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| US1009289A (en) * | 1909-02-03 | 1911-11-21 | Fuller Mfg Co | Sheet-separating device. |
| CH436349A (en) | 1966-04-07 | 1967-05-31 | Ferag Ag | Method and device for the piece-wise dismantling of a stack of flat objects |
| US3776544A (en) * | 1968-09-23 | 1973-12-04 | Xerox Inc | Automatic loading apparatus |
| GB1271526A (en) * | 1969-06-12 | 1972-04-19 | Gestetner Ltd | Improvements in or relating to sheet feeding devices |
| JPS563301B2 (en) * | 1972-07-24 | 1981-01-24 | ||
| FR2285323A1 (en) * | 1974-09-18 | 1976-04-16 | Cellophane Sa | IMPROVEMENT OF LEAF FEEDING DEVICES |
| US4148473A (en) * | 1977-03-30 | 1979-04-10 | Johnson Harold K | Apparatus for handling stacks of flat articles such as bag-forming tubes and for separating and delivering the same individually |
| US4290593A (en) * | 1977-09-26 | 1981-09-22 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Method for sheet feeding |
| CH637091A5 (en) * | 1979-01-29 | 1983-07-15 | Ferag Ag | DEVICE FOR SUPPLYING FLAT PRODUCTS, INCLUDING PRINTED PRODUCTS, INCLUDING PRESSURE PRODUCTS, TO A TRANSPORTER. |
| US4444383A (en) * | 1981-09-22 | 1984-04-24 | Hycorr Machine Corporation | Rotary slotter sheet feeder |
| GB2150920B (en) * | 1983-11-28 | 1987-11-11 | Mead Corp | Equipment and method for feeding packaging blanks to a packaging machine |
| US4566687A (en) * | 1984-05-11 | 1986-01-28 | Custom-Bilt Machinery, Inc. | Transferring newspapers or the like from a moving belt to a series of clamps |
| US4746007A (en) * | 1986-02-20 | 1988-05-24 | Quipp Incorporated | Single gripper conveyor system |
| JPS648140A (en) * | 1987-06-29 | 1989-01-12 | Sharp Kk | Feeder for sheet material |
| JPH0653528B2 (en) * | 1987-07-14 | 1994-07-20 | シャープ株式会社 | Sheet material feeding device |
| JPH01104534A (en) * | 1987-10-14 | 1989-04-21 | Toyama Sanki Kk | Device for taking out bag type object |
| DE58901208D1 (en) * | 1988-03-03 | 1992-05-27 | Ferag Ag | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MOVING PRINTING PRODUCTS OFF WHICH ARE ADDED IN A SHEET INFORMATION. |
| JP2537072B2 (en) * | 1988-03-04 | 1996-09-25 | 株式会社石川製作所 | Method of counting and discharging the stepped ball box of the boxed box making machine |
| JPH03259832A (en) * | 1990-03-07 | 1991-11-19 | Seiko Instr Inc | Paper feeder |
| JPH03293240A (en) * | 1990-04-06 | 1991-12-24 | Seiko Instr Inc | Paper feeding device for photosensitive transfer type image forming device |
| JPH047225A (en) * | 1990-04-26 | 1992-01-10 | Brother Ind Ltd | Paper feeder in image forming device |
| US5465952A (en) * | 1993-02-17 | 1995-11-14 | Ferag Ag | Gripper for a conveying device for conveying single-sheet or multiple-sheet printed products |
| DE59403428D1 (en) * | 1993-05-21 | 1997-08-28 | Ferag Ag | Device for separating stacked printed products |
| DE59406254D1 (en) * | 1993-06-29 | 1998-07-23 | Ferag Ag | Device for delivering products such as cards and samples to a processing station |
| DK89993D0 (en) * | 1993-08-03 | 1993-08-03 | Thorsted Maskiner As | PROCEDURE AND DEVICE FOR TRANSFER OF DIFFERENT PRESSURE MATERIALS TO A GRIP CHAIN |
| US5941518A (en) * | 1994-12-12 | 1999-08-24 | Xerox Corporation | Sheet feeder with variable length, variable speed sheetpath |
| US6142462A (en) * | 1997-08-15 | 2000-11-07 | Bell & Howell Mail & Messaging Technologies Company | Horizontal feed table and method |
| CA2310833C (en) | 1997-12-23 | 2007-04-17 | Ferag Ag | Conveying system |
| RU2191736C2 (en) * | 1997-12-23 | 2002-10-27 | Фераг Аг | Flat articles receiving and/or transferring device |
| WO1999054243A1 (en) * | 1998-04-17 | 1999-10-28 | Asc Machine Tools, Inc. | Prefeeder assembly |
| CA2361603C (en) * | 1999-02-05 | 2008-05-27 | Ferag Ag | Vacuum assisted unstacking apparatus for stacks of sheet-like material |
| EP1232977B1 (en) * | 2001-02-15 | 2004-07-07 | Ferag AG | Method and device for individually separating flat objects from a pile |
| JP3845005B2 (en) * | 2001-12-12 | 2006-11-15 | 富士写真フイルム株式会社 | Image recording material single wafer equipment |
-
2001
- 2001-12-17 EP EP01273709A patent/EP1360131B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-12-17 WO PCT/CH2001/000719 patent/WO2002064467A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2001-12-17 DE DE50106230T patent/DE50106230D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-12-17 AU AU2002220430A patent/AU2002220430B2/en not_active Ceased
- 2001-12-17 AT AT01273709T patent/ATE295322T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2001-12-17 CA CA002435366A patent/CA2435366C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2003
- 2003-08-14 US US10/641,384 patent/US6886826B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP1360131A1 (en) | 2003-11-12 |
| AU2002220430B2 (en) | 2006-11-30 |
| DE50106230D1 (en) | 2005-06-16 |
| CA2435366A1 (en) | 2002-08-22 |
| EP1360131B1 (en) | 2005-05-11 |
| US20040032075A1 (en) | 2004-02-19 |
| WO2002064467A1 (en) | 2002-08-22 |
| ATE295322T1 (en) | 2005-05-15 |
| US6886826B2 (en) | 2005-05-03 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |
Effective date: 20131217 |